It's All About Bonding

Recent studies support the importance of touch for increasing the confidence to do things that might otherwise cause ambivalence. It seems the imprint of a mother's attention and affection carries with it a lifelong benefit. Studies indicate, whether it is a reassuring touch by a supportive female or a telephone call with a person's mother, that the release of oxytocin helps to make us feel more at ease with the challenges of life.  So, if you want to help someone feel secure and to give them a boost of confidence, just give them a gentle reassuring touch on the shoulder.  It's just that simple!

Adult LGBTQ Group Now Available for Participation

http://www.changeforliving.com/groups.html 

Click on this link to get information about the group & view the flyer.  Also, please don't hesitate to contact me at 919/360-1929 or at changeforliving@yahoo.com to get more information or to schedule your initial individual meeting with me to join the group.

Groups for LGBTQ Young People & Adults

Coming Soon!

This fall I will be starting a small support group for young people ages 14-18 who identify as LGBT or have questions about sexual identity (the "Q" in LGBTQ).  I want to give young people a safe, supportive environment to explore who they are & what this might mean to them & the choices they make.  With over 25 years of working with teens, & education & experience working with sexual identity issues, the group will address the developmental needs of these young people.

I will also be doing an adult group this fall, to be co-facilitated by a local pastoral counselor who has years of experience working with issues of faith & the gay community.  This group will offer a supportive environment for adults to explore their sexual identity & figure out what this means in their adult lives.  For those who have issues of faith, this will also be a non-judgmental group to explore these questions. 

Some of the issues these groups might address:

• Who am I - label, behavior & feelings & what does it all mean & how do I make sense of it all
• Coming out issues - when, who, when & how
• What does this mean or not mean in terms of my life & relationships
• What does my faith say about who I am/my behavior & how can I integrate all aspects of my life
• Issues of discrimination - how do I not let this impact how I feel about myself

If you would like to get more information, don't hesitate to contact me at 919/360-1929 or at changeforliving@yahoo.com.  I would be happy to talk with you about how these groups might be helpful.

How to be a Loving Parent

Woman With Flower

I wouldn't coax the plant if I were you.

Such watchful nurturing may do it harm.
Let the soil rest from so much digging
And wait until it's dry before you water it.
The leaf's inclined to find its own direction;
Give it a chance to seek the sunlight for itself.
Much growth is stunted by too careful prodding,
Too eager tenderness.
The things we love we have to learn to leave alone.

By Naomi Long Madgett

Change for Living Counseling Has Moved

I'm excited to announce that Change for Living Counseling has moved to it's new location at 11 Windel Drive, Suite 205 in Raleigh, NC 27609, and we are settling in. Our new space is much larger with great offices to share with other providers and group room rental space available for other mental health and allied professionals.  This space, along with Judith Dickens and Purple Lotus Counseling PLLC, will allow us to fulfill our vision for our practices and the CFL Mental Health & Allied Professionals Network working together to develop our, and other providers', practices.  We hope you'll come join us in this exciting venture and visit us at our new location.

Change for Living Counseling: A Reflection on the Climb

Change for Living Counseling: A Reflection on the Climb

A Reflection on the Climb

I recently read a colleague at Aspire Counseling's (cool name, huh) blog and it gave me something to think about.  It was on the role of therapists and how they are perceived by clients, especially if we are perceived as infallible experts.  I recently heard an ACT trainer talk about how therapists are just like everyone else; that we all have our mountains to climb, but that a particular therapist’s may just be different than the one a client is climbing. The imagery goes on further to say that therapists just may have a certain helpful perspective or view of a client’s struggles on their mountain from the distance of the therapist's mountain. I like that visual because it acknowledges that therapists are no different than anyone else…except maybe we have a little more training and equipment for the big climb :-).